Bluebell Sightings: Ashridge in Hertfordshire

Thank you Candelle. That was at Emmetts, NT garden near Sevenoaks. We often take the little ones there.

Bellanonna: what a lovely photograph, thank you. Kent is obviously warmer than Hertfordshire!!

Wepham Wood near Arundel is our local Bluebell wood. Going there tomorrow, to wander and smell the air.

We've got bluebells alongside our driveway and all around perimeter under the oaks. We've been here for a couple of years and they seem more clustered now, maybe because we've cleared the undergrowth and chickens scratch about, don't know but they smell lovely and make me smile. Don't know what type they are either
One clump is growing through Tarmac chippings

Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 is going to be talking about this sometime between 12 - 2

A friend went to Ashridge at the weekend. She said that the bluebells are not yet out. The wood is now fenced with a very helpful man at the gate. He explained about the reasons behind the entry fee. Masses of people , trampled bluebells , erosion of the grass verges by car parking etc. Charges only apply first 2 weekends in May.

Quite a lot in Kent

We walked through Eastham Woods yesterday. They are in Wirral next to The Mersey and opposite Liverpool John Lennon airport. The bluebells were flowering on the edges of the woods where they get more light but the bulk of them under the trees are not out yet.

Many thanks Tizliz for the information regarding proposed charging at Ashridge.

I don't agree with this spiel from the NT - I see visitors parking neatly along the side of the long drive to the monument and certainly no chaos as they indicate.

There will always be a few small children walking through the flowers themselves (and I am sure the flowers will recover for future years) but 99.9% of visitors keep to the paths and there is always such a lovely atmosphere (well, perhaps apart from having sharpened elbows at the ready in order to secure a cafe table!)- the bluebells seem to cheer everyone up.

As to the NT not taking credit cards - can you imagine the traffic chaos this will cause as families suddenly have to find money where they expected none.

We are all urged to exercise in the fresh air but then the NT put forward a plan such as this which could deter many young families from visiting.

I know this is only for a couple of weekends but who knows where it will end - future permanent charging? Shame on the NT for proposing a charge.

There were hundreds on bluebells in my garden yesterday - today only the white ones left . They are mostly English bluebells, but they are still thugs and take over the borders. The white ones don't seem to spread and stay in clumps.

Ashridge

here is a news article about the charges

Spanish bluebells are 'bully-boys', as tanith said earlier. They flourish in all sorts of conditions, will hybridise with our native species and could take over completely. They are so different and it would be such a loss. I pulled up all the Spanish bluebells in my garden, because I believe they are a threat.

Out in our garden in Oxfordshire ( Spanish bluebells) and in woodland near us it's usually May, but will be sooner this year due to weather, so anytime now really.

Blooming cheek. Fancy having to pay to see the bluebells in Ashridge. I shall go the 3rd week then and in the evening

The only thing I can see in their site is a 4 hour guided walk for £5, and they always charge for this type of walk. Don't think I could manage 4 hours now.

Ashridge are to introduce a charge to see the bluebells for the first 2 weekends in May. £3 per adult and £1 per child.

Just seen a beautiful carpet of bluebells in Forest of Dean

The bluebell walks at Rode Hall near Alsager will be starting from 30 April.
See Bluebell Walks

Candelle I'm not sure whether you have to book for the Bluebell Walk. Just google Ashridge and follow the links
There are usually signs along the main road to direct you to the bluebells. We usually go in the evenings after dinner. It is quieter then

Many thanks Tizliz for the Woodland Trust site. I think I looked there last year but there no mention of the woods at Ashridge that we traditionally go to each spring.

Thanks also to Fairydoll2030. No bluebells at Ashridge yet, then! It would absolutely wonderful if, when you do return in a wee while, you could advise how the bluebells are coming on. Last year we drove out in a family convoy only to find they had all but 'gone over' and to add insult to injury, the heavens opened and we were all caught in a torrential thunderstorm. I have vowed to do better this year and I shall keenly watch this space!

Thank you to *BBBevan for the date of a bluebell walk at Ashridge on 7 May. I'm pretty sure that our abortive trip (as above) was the first weekend in May but we were too late. Capricious things, these bluebells, as one can never tell from year to year when they'll be at their best!

Treebee, do join with me and watch this thread and hopefully we can enjoy a beautiful bluebell walk in a week or two.

If anyone else has a beautiful bluebell wood nearby, you could always leave news of how they are blooming which would be helpful to other GN's.

Good to know. I'm planning a visit to Ashridge to see the bluebells too so I'll leave it for a week or two.

There is a beautiful bluebell wood near us. If I can borrow the car, and the weather is good enough, and my knee holds up, I will endeavour to take a walk there and get some photographs. Watch this space.

The best bluebell wood in Suffolk is at Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale a few miles South of Sudbury. Suffolk Wildlife Trust have said today that this coming weekend 16 and 17 April should be the best time to see them. The reserve is open everyday and there is no charge. Please keep dogs on leads.

SWT website is at

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/argerfen

We're in the Forest of Dean at the moment and the bluebells are not out here. I'd say another week or so yet - that's if it stops raining.

Bluebell walk in Ashridge 7th May, so a bit early yet.